August 2022

Jim and Patrick went on a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in early August (Jim will blog about that soon). The other kids and I had fun around town. We went to the Science Center one day. They love to play Super Mario Bros on the big screen with the big controller.

We watched an Omnimax movie.

Then, we ate a picnic lunch in Forest Park.

Jim sent us a picture of him and Patrick, so we sent him this picture of us at dinner.

I took the kids to visit friends in Champaign, IL.

We asked Charlie to take a picture of the adults. He put it on selfie mode and got this pic.

Then, he got this picture. Math majors!  I forgot to get a picture earlier in the day when Amy was there.

The kids!

I went with Maggie to a Girl Scout event. They observed ants. Maggie is observing one crawling on her.

After the ant observations, they cooled off in the pool.

This year, we split our Family Fun Day into two parts because our schedules didn't allow us to do it all at once. We grabbed lunch at Gioia's Deli and took it to Piazza Imo on The Hill.  The tables were all in full sun, so we ate in the shade on the ground.

Then, we played a little chess.

Charlie and Maggie in front of the fountain.

Next, we went to the Gateway Arch.

Maggie, leaning against a corner of the Arch.

Jim, in front of the new entrance.

The kids are standing on St. Louis on the map.

We rode the tram to the top.

Then, we rode the tram back down.

One last selfie before leaving the Arch grounds.

I made these fun cookies for a pool party.

The rising 7th grade boys had a fun pool party before the start of school.

Family Fun Day, Part II started with a trip to the Aquarium.

There were lots of fish and sea animals to see and touch.

The doctor fish were a favorite exhibit.  You put your hand in the water and the fish swam over and started eating the dead skin.  It felt so strange!

Then, we went outside and made our way to the Big Wheel (with a stop for a surfing photo on the way).

The kids fed some fish in the pond.

So many big and colorful fish anxious to eat.

Then, we took the kids to Hodak's for dinner.

Ted Drewes: a perfect ending to Family Fun Day!

These girls were excited for school to start, but would miss their frequent playdates.

Jim's band played at the pool one night.

Jack's first day of sophomore year.

Two days later, the younger siblings had their first day.  "First day of 3rd grade. When I grow up, I want to be an artist."

"Third day of 10th grade. When I grow up, I want to be a software engineer."

"First day of 7th grade. When I grow up, I want to design video games."

"First day of 5th grade. When I grow up, I want to be a computer programmer at NASA."

Most of the third grade girls.

Most of the 7th grade boys.

We usually get ice cream on the first day of school.

My first day of teaching.

All the 7th grade boys.

Jack and some buddies (with M in the background) before the Back to School Mixer.

We hosted a karaoke party for the 7th grade parents. Jim and Jay had fun as they practiced the set up a few days ahead of time.

The party was a blast! We had to move it inside after a visit by the police.